Six Days, Four Yarnshops

I'm back from my trip, and boy was it lovely. It turns out that I had access to the internet the whole time, but I chose to take an internet break. Honestly, I was so busy I didn't have time for it. In the six days I was gone I managed to visit four yarn shops and five thrift/ antique stores. Mum and I first stopped in Chico, which is where she attended college. She hadn't been back since she graduated. We walked around the campus.

We also went to Heartstrings Yarn. The building looks rather plain, but the inside. Whoa baby. It is full of everything. Yarn, roving, buttons, needles. Sigh. And Laura, who helped us, was incredibly friendly and helpful. My only complaint was that it was a wee bit difficult to find. But only beccause Chico has the most backwards street numbering system ever. There is a 1st Street and a 1st Avenue. One set is in downtown and the other set is just outside of downtown.

Here's the damage. Three skeins of Cascade yarns Eco Alpaca and the 9th volume of the Norah Gaughan Collection.

We found the most wonderful Mexican Restaurant called Tres Hombres. Everything was so fresh. We chose it based on the fact that it was pretty full even though it was a Monday night. I can recommend the fish tacos and the steak quesadillas.

And the margaritas. Unless you are driving somewhere afterwards. Then you might want water instead. (It was a powerful brew.)

And that was just the first day. I'll keep posting more bits of my trip this week. Some rather interesting things happened to me. (I seem to have comically bad luck)

Zimmermitts

Thanks for all the support guys. I feel so uplifted! I've been writing patterns of things I would like to wear, so I imagine that will come through.

On to more knitting news. I'll be gone for a week starting tomorrow (with questionable internet connectivity), so of course I had to start some new projects to work on while I'm away. The first is the Rocky Coast Cardigan. I preordered the book, Coastal Knits. (Which is into its second printing after being out two weeks! Congrats Alana and Hannah!) The Rocky Coast cardi was downloadable before the book was released. I meant to get going on it sooner, but at least I managed to buy yarn before the book arrived. I had bought Malabrigo Worsted in Azul Profundo, decided that it had too much green in it, and exchanged it for Bobby Blue. Much better.

I actually blocked my swatches. I don't know if I would have except I had extra yarn from the recent hat design. What do people do with their swatches once they are done? I'm kind of thinking it would eventually make a neat blanket.

I also got going on my next gift knit. I had promised Marci a pair of mittens for letting me go through some of her button collection. It took me awhile to decide how I was going to make the mittens with the yarn I had, Manos del Uruguay Maxima in the color way Arctic. I've decided on a pair Elizabeth Zimmermann mitered mittens. I am making some modifications so that I can incorporate buttons into the design. They shall be called "Zimmermitts."

Just in case I don't make it back online until next week, have a lovely week! (And if I do find an internet connection, have a lovely week anyways!)

The Ugly Feeling

I've been reflecting on my book writing, and I've noticed that I have a distinct cycle I go through each month. I have 1-2 weeks of furious writing and knitting where I'll knit from 2PM to 3AM. I end up sleeping in pretty late, except on work days, of course. This has resulted in my Dad and brother believing that all I do is sleep. They only seem to pass by my room when I'm passed out. After two weeks of solid work, I spend a week fretting about what I've worked on followed by a week of recouping (playing computer games, knitting patterns that are not my own).

Three hats, same design. Not sure which ones will be pictured in the book. Hat details washed out on purpose.

This week is the week of fretting. It's a rather ugly feeling of "What am I doing?" "Why am I writing a book?" and the big one, "What if no one cares if it exists?" I think that last one worries me the most. Not because it actually matters if my book changes the world. But because I am pouring so much of myself into it. The rejection of my book is like a rejection of myself. If no one likes the book, then perhaps no one likes me. (Even though I know it isn't true, the feeling still exists) I imagine that is the feeling a lot of people have with their creative endeavors and that is why it is so hard to put yourself out there.

The second in a pair of socks for the book. This is the bottom of the sock. Can't show the pattern just yet.

I try my best to ignore that ugly feeling, but it is a bit paralyzing at times. I think the most important thing to do in this situation is to just keep going on. If I don't feel I can work on my own patterns, then I knit other peoples patterns. I can at least spend my time learning about different construction ideas and garments.

Emilien Sweater. Still needs the zipper. Hope to install it next week.

Working on the book isn't all gloom and doom, though. Even though work feels slow sometimes, I've started to write down everything I've knitted. It's funny how making a list can change my "Why haven't I completed anything" attitude into "How the heck did I have time for all that?"

On a slightly separate note, I'd like to thank everyone who comments on my blog. It makes me feel special and important. I am in the process of figuring out a different comment system for blogger. I want to respond to everyone, but blogger's comment system really isn't friendly in that sort of way. Just know that I read all comments and check out your blogs if you happen to have one.

Smells Like An Orc In Here

I spent the last week watching the extended versions of Lord of the Rings. Every once in a while I get the urge. And I can't just watch one, I have to watch all of them. Anyways, during one of the riders of Rohan bits in the Return of the King, I started to notice that it smelled a bit like the riders were in my room. Possibly napping right next to me.

He even looks like an orc sometimes. A cute orc.

So Scooter got a bath. He was starting to smell less like a rider of Rohan and more like an Orc. Now he smells a bit more like Arwen.

In other news, watching all of the Lord of the Rings makes me want to knit up Lord of the Rings themed socks. I'm stuck between making Aragorn by Janneke Maat or Rivendell by Janel Laidman. (I'll probably make both if I'm going to be honest about this) There are only two things keeping me from making either. The first is that my sock needles are currently occupied by a sock design. But it's knitting up pretty quick. (To be honest again, I'll probably buy myself another set of sock needles on Sunday, when I'm working at the yarn shop)

Images belong to Janneke Maat and Janel Laidman respectively

The second problem is a bit bigger. No matter how hard I try, I just can't seem to get gauge. I never thought I was a loose knitter, but I've never been able to get 8sts/in, and I'm knitting on size 0 needles. The closest I've gotten is 7.5sts/in. I've tried different yarn. I've tried knitting tighter. I'm ok with altering a design a bit, but it's still a bummer. Especially because I want to make a pair of Druid mittens. I bought the yarn in New Zealand last year. I tracked down the magazine. Turns out the pattern is now available on ravelry, but it wasn't when I started this whole thing. The gauge is, you guessed it, 8sts/in. (On size 3 needles no less. Jared Flood must be a crazy tight knitter) Luckily there is some room to subtract some stitches. But still.

Exhibit A. I know that it is important to knit out a large swatch. But lets face it. This will never be the 1 inch it should be. The minute I block it, it will probably grow to be 2 inches.

Boom. Sweater.

Boom. The sweater is done. I even started work on a sock. It's kind of a relief to have hit a bit of a knitting groove after having a week of blah. I wonder how long it will last...

I'm not normally into baby stuff, but making little clothes does appeal to me. I'm sure the little mooseling it's intended for will be quite cozy. The pattern I added to the sweater is intended to be stars above the moose herd and a river below them. I would have added more white, but it's a baby thing. I though grey would conceal stains more effectively. 

I kinda wish this sweater was me-sized

Mooseling

I had an incredibly productive day yesterday. I went on a hike, finished reading a book, finished a sock, and started my very first baby knit. For a friend, not for me. She hasn't told me if it's a boy or girl, so she gets a grey sweater. I'm using Petite Purls Beach Baby sweater as the base. Although I am making the sweater Moose-themed per request.

The yarn is lovely as well. I'm using Cascade 220 Superwash Sport. It's superwash merino. Very soft, very shiny. Everything has gone reasonable well except that the grey ball has decided to explode. I'm hoping that I can knit fast enough before that becomes a problem.

Well Read (1)

I wanted to share some of my favorite knitting blogs as of late... in alphabetical order.

First up is AC Engineered Knits. Her writing style keeps me in stitches. (Haha. Stitches. I wrote that before I realized how funny that is) Everything from knitting tragedies to "The Sweater That Is Probably Going To Look Like A Bag" Sometimes, late at night, you can hear me giggling in my room. 9 times out of 10, it's because I think about the bag sweater. Also, you can't beat someone who will "stand close to you so you seem cool by association" I hope that one day I will be cool by association.

AC Engineered Knits:
Blog
Bloglovin
Pattern Design

Next up is Fernknits. Jennifer knits and bikes! And she posts about both. I am certain that if we lived in the same town, we'd be biking and knitting buddies. (Maybe even beer buddies) Alas, I live in a different state. Her adventures remind me not to give up on my own. And maybe, just maybe, I'll be convinced that mountain biking isn't so scary. She also had one of her designs show up in the knitpicks catalogue. I was simultaneously happy for her and a wee bit jealous. She's got several gorgeous designs in the works, so keep an eye out for them.

Fernknits:
Blog
Bloglovin
Pattern Design

Andi of My Sister's Knitter has always got something on her needles. And more often than not, they are socks. I love seeing all her wonderful yarn and pattern selections. And the speed with which she knits. I'm sure that every time she sneezes, a pair of socks fall off her needles. Also, she regularly shares an lovely song. Little gems that I wouldn't have necessarily come across, but really should listen to. She's lovely to chat with to boot.

My Sister's Knitter:
Blog
Bloglovin

Last, but certainly not least is Andi of Untangling Knots. Andi has been posting a bunch of button hole, CO, BO reviews. And even though I was bad and didn't post any comments on them, I have thoroughly loved reading each entry. She also has some wonderful designs. In the picture below is Agatha. Not only do I love that name, but check out the clever decreases in the side of the sweater. I want to make the sweater simply because I'm in love with the way she chose to do the decreases. (And the sweater is attractive as well) I'm going to go ahead and admit that initially I was nervous to even leave a comment on her blog because her designs are so pretty, but Andi is a lovely person. And she has taken the time to answer various questions about tech editing and other intimidating things, in detail, which I have very much appreciated.

Untangling Knots:
Blog
Bloglovin
Pattern Design

Anyone have any fun blogs they've come across? I'd love to know about them. (Even if it is your own blog) They don't have to be knitting exclusive.